In the ever-evolving landscape of late '90s Bollywood, a film dared to break typecasting and challenge expectations — Shikari, a crime thriller directed by the gritty filmmaker N. Chandra, known for his raw and grounded storytelling. Released on the festive eve of Dusshera, the film may not have broken box office records initially, but over time, it carved out a cult status — thanks largely to an unexpected turn by Bollywood’s beloved funny man, Govinda.
Featuring a powerhouse cast — Govinda, Tabu, Karishma Kapoor, and Kiran Kumar — Shikari was the second outing of the popular trio Govinda-Tabu-Karishma after their 1996 blockbuster Saajan Chale Sasural. But unlike the comic tones of their previous collaboration, Shikari was steeped in tension, deception, and transformation. The real surprise? Govinda as an anti-hero — a bold move for an actor deeply entrenched in comedy roles at the time.
It wasn’t just the role that was daring — it was the look too. For the first time in his career, Govinda donned prosthetic makeup to transform into a character with a darker edge. Meanwhile, Karishma Kapoor shed her glam-doll image to take on an action-heavy role, proving she could kick as hard as she could twirl. This change of pace for both actors drew attention, especially from critics who praised the film’s risk-taking and Govinda’s layered performance.
Shikari also had its share of behind-the-scenes “what-ifs.” Aditya Pancholi and Jackie Shroff were both approached for the role eventually played by Nirmal Pandey, but declined — Pancholi citing prior commitments, and Shroff’s reasons never disclosed. Interestingly, Arbaaz Khan was originally meant to be the lead opposite Tabu, with Govinda playing the villain. However, Arbaaz’s schedule with Hello Brother clashed, leading director N. Chandra to restructure the narrative entirely. Manisha Koirala was also a strong contender for Karishma’s role before the final casting.
Though Shikari only saw average commercial success at release, time has been kind. As the years passed, appreciation grew for the film’s genre-bending choices and Govinda’s intense, uncharacteristic performance. In hindsight, Shikari marked a moment where Bollywood stars stepped out of their comfort zones — and audiences slowly caught up to applaud them for it.